Last week, Murphy ”strongly“ suggested that people refrain from non-essential travel between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Now, he said, that’s a 24-hour order to keep off the roads.

A few people are excepted: health-care workers, law enforcement, emergency responders, members of the media, some federal officials, people who assist low-income residents (such as food bank workers), and those who need to get to work at businesses allowed to remain open.

Otherwise, people can leave the house only for essential needs (such groceries, food, or medicine), to visit family or others you have a “close personal relationship” with (such as “a caretaker or romantic partner”), or to seek medical attention. You can also go outside for walks or exercise, according to the order.

Still, gatherings — such as parties — are not allowed. And when in public, people must practice social distancing by staying at least six feet apart from others, except “immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners,” the order says.

Bottom line: The governor is ordering you to stay home unless it’s really necessary.

Restaurants, bars, and liquor stores can also remain open, as long as they stick to takeout or delivery.

Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, ports, heavy construction, shipping, food production, food delivery, and other commercial operations may continue operating. But they must keep staff at a minimal level on site to make sure “essential operations can continue,” according to the order.

Medical facilities — including veterinarians and physical therapy — can continue to operate.

Child day care centers will also remain open. Murphy has said many emergency and essential workers need a place to watch their children.

The governor’s office also said landscaping businesses and hotels are also allowed to stay open, too.

Other businesses should allow people to work from home, if possible, the governor said.

Plus, the office said, garbage and recycling collection will continue. So will public transportation, though on modified schedules.

In recent days, he limited them to 250 people and then reduced it to 50 people. Now all are banned.

“This decision is not an easy one, and it pains me that important life moments will not be celebrated the way we are accustomed to," Murphy said. ”Our singular goal is to make sure we get through this emergency so you can safely gather with family and friends later and enjoy many more wedding and birthdays to come."

WHO IS CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL WORKER ALLOWED TO TRAVEL?

Health-care and medical-services workers, members of the media, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, certain federal government workers, and those who work at businesses that are allowed to remain open.

WHEN DOES THIS GO INTO EFFECT?

9 p.m. Saturday.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

That’s unclear. Murphy said he expects the crisis will be “measured in weeks to months. ... This is not next week.”

WHAT IF I DON’T COMPLY?

Murphy didn’t provide specifics on what the penalties would be, but he said: "If folks are monkeying around, we will take action.”

Officials have said any people or businesses that don’t comply will be prosecuted for a disorderly person’s offense at the local level.

WHY TAKE THIS ACTION?

Officials say the more people keep their distance from each other — otherwise known as “social distancing” — it will help slow the spread of the virus, which causes the illness COVID-19, and make sure hospitals aren’t overloaded.

“Social distancing is the key to stopping this," state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said. “There’s nothing more sophisticated about it. We don’t have a vaccine.”

An NJ Advance Media analysis of data from a Rutgers University study shows in a worst-case scenario, with the minimal amount of social distancing, 1 in 7 people could contract the virus.

Officials stress that even if you are not showing symptoms or are not severely affected by the virus, you can still have it and pass it on to others — especially more vulnerable residents, like those who are older and/or have other medical condition.